Author: Andrea Kozai on behalf of the Host Committee 

The Host Committee for the 25th Annual Meeting is incredibly excited to welcome you to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania! Pittsburgh is a beautiful metropolis in the heart of Steel Country, and has transformed itself from an industrial powerhouse of yesteryear to a vibrant economy based in technology, medicine, and academics. There is lots to do and see, so we thought it would be helpful to share a list of our favorite parts of this city. Without further ado: 

10. Visit the historic Strip District. Whether you're looking for local shopping or local food (breakfast at Pamela's is a must), the Strip is the place to be. Pittsburgh is a town proud of its sports teams, so pick up some black and gold gear while you're there!  

9. Tour local movie sets. Did you know Pittsburgh is known as "Hollywood of the East"? Movies such as The Dark Knight Rises, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Dogma, Jack Reacher, Night of the Living Dead, and Flashdance were all filmed here (and a few, including The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Flashdance, were set here too!) Create your own tour using suggestions from this excellent article. 

8. Visit Fallingwater. A bit farther afield, Fallingwater is a home Frank Lloyd Wright designed for the Kauffman family of Pittsburgh. It is built over a waterfall and appears to not even stand on solid ground. It is a National Historic Landmark and is open for public tours. Click here for more information. 

7. Take a walk from the Marriott City Center to Point State Park, located at the confluence of Pittsburgh's three rivers. See where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers come together to form the Ohio river and take in the glorious views. 

6. Visit one of Pittsburgh's many museums. The Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh boast a number of options for art (including the Warhol Museum), natural history, and science. Or, check out the Toonseum or the Heinz History Center. 

5. Get lunch at Primanti Bros. With several locations including one walking distance from the Annual Meeting, opportunities abound to experience this classic Pittsburgh eatery. Don't be surprised when your fries come on top of your sandwich instead of next to it! 

4. Take a trip up one of the inclines for the best views of Downtown Pittsburgh (or, as the locals call it, the Golden Triangle.) See how many bridges you can count (Pittsburgh has the most of any city in the world, including Venice!)  

3. See the artists of Pittsburgh Ballet Theater up close. On Thursday, Oct 8th the delegates of IADMS have a special opportunity to see a studio showing put on by Pittsburgh Ballet Theater. Afterwards, enjoy drinks and light bites with the artists. Sign up when you register for the conference. 

2. Attend the Opening Reception and participate in the Silver Anniversary Auction. In honor of the 25th Anniversary of IADMS, a silent auction will run through the conference to raise funds for IADMS-IT. Donate something, bid on something, and be a part of the next 25 years of IADMS! 

1. Learn, network, and participate in everything the 25th Annual Meeting has to offer! A fabulous program awaits you, so don't miss a minute of it. 

For more ideas and assistance planning your trip to Pittsburgh, check out www.visitpittsburgh.com. See you in October! 

- Andrea Kozai, Host Committee Chair